International Parental Child Abduction
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction came into force between the United States and the United Kingdom on July 1, 1988. For in-depth
information on the workings of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, visit the Department of State’s International Parental Child Abduction Page.
What To Do If Your Child Has Been Abducted:
From the United States to the United Kingdom: If your child has been abducted from the United States to the United Kingdom, you should file an application with the U.S.
Central Authority: Application For Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction (in PDF format). For guidance and instructions on completing the application
form, refer to the U.S. Central Authority’s Hague Application Instructions.
From the United Kingdom to the United States: If your child has been abducted from the United Kingdom to the United States, you should file an application with the UK
Central Authority application at: http://www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/icacu.htm
Child Custody Solicitors: The Embassy maintains a list of solicitors who specialize in international child custody issues; for more information, please click on this link: Child Custody Solicitors.
Preventing Child Abduction
If you are a resident of the United Kingdom and fear that your U.S. citizen child might be taken abroad by the other parent without your consent, the child’s name can be entered into the U.S. Child Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP). Then, if an application for a passport for your child is received, you will be informed before issuance of the passport.
When there is an order from a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the removal of a child from the jurisdiction of the court and/or the requesting party without prior consent, and the order is provided to the American Citizen Services Section of the U.S. Embassy in London, an application for a U.S. passport may be denied.
Requests for entry of a child’s name in the CPIAP, and, if relevant, court orders should be sent to:
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1A 2LQ
Phone: 020-7499-9000
Fax: 020-7495-5012
Other Resources
The Department of State’s International Parental Child Abduction website.
Reunite International at: http://www.reunite.org.
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Child Abduction Section at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/things-go-wrong/child-abduction
National Center For Missing and Exploited Children at: http://www.missingkids.com
Intercountry Adoptions
U.S. Adoption Procedures: The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption came into force for the United States on April 1, 2008. For in-depth information on intercountry
adoptions, both those started before and after implementation of the Hague Convention in the United States, visit the Department of State’s Hague Convention Intercountry
Adoption Page.
UK Adoption Procedures: The Department for Education and Skills (DFES) is responsible for adoption policy, domestic and intercountry, in the United Kingdom. For
in-depth information on British adoption regulations, visit the DFES Intercountry Adoption Page.
Child Abuse Registry Checks/Criminal Background Checks: The UK Government maintains decentralized child abuse registries for 86 of its counties. However, the child
abuse registries are only searchable by the name of an affected child, not/not by the name of an offender. Information regarding an offender would be found on a UK police certificate, which each prospective adoptive parent would be required to apply for from the UK authorities if they had resided in the United Kingdom for longer than a year.
The information on the child abuse registries (formerly called the Child Protection Register, now called the Integrated Children’s System) can only be accessed by UK-
licensed social workers. Generally, social workers from other countries are not able to access the registry due to UK Data Protection Act restrictions.
A website is available which shows how to access information, who is authorized to access the information, and the legislation governing the access to the database. The
website address is: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/contactpoint http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/contactpoint.
For information on obtaining criminal background checks, see our website at london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/criminal_records_checks_in_the_united_states.html.
Child Support Enforcement
The United States and the United Kingdom concluded a bilateral agreement on child support enforcement on December 17, 2007. The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/) is the U.S. Central Authority for this agreement.
The following information briefly explains the steps parents should take to request enforcement of child support orders when the absent parent is in the other country. More information is available on the Department of State’s website at travel.state.gov/family/services/support/support_2615.html
Applications made in the United States for support from a parent in the United
Kingdom:
Applications should be made to your local Child Support Enforcement Office (IV-D Agency) at your local Department of Human Services. It is the responsibility of the
Child Support Enforcement office to forward the application to the UK Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Section (REMO) located within the Department for
Constitutional Affairs at the following address: Department For Constitutional Affairs, REMO Section, Selborne House (4 th Floor), 56-60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW; tel: 0845-345-5303; website: http://www.dca.gov.uk/family/remo/contents.htm; E-mail: remo@dca.gsi.gov.uk. The REMO Section will forward the application to the nearest English or Welsh County Court where the absent parent resides and will endeavor to enforce it.
Applications made in England and Wales for support from a parent in the United
States:
Applications should be made to the Justices' Clerk of your local Magistrate’s Court. The Justices' Clerk is required to forward the application to the REMO Section at the Department for Constitutional Affairs as explained above. It is the responsibility of the REMO Section to forward the application to the Child Support Enforcement Office (IV-D Agency) in the particular U.S. state where the absent parent resides. That authority will endeavor to enforce the order.
Child Protection And Neglect Issues
If you wish to discuss a child protection matter, please send an E-mail to:
SCSLondon@state.gov.
Travel of a Minor Child
Because of increasing instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking or pornography, an immigration
officer, airline, or travel company may ask you to provide some form of letter of consent if your child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.
Letter Of Consent For Travel Of A Minor Child
Because of increasing instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking or pornography, an immigration
officer, airline, or travel company may ask you to provide some form of letter of consent if your child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. The sample letter below is a guide only. You may also wish to have the letter of consent notarized.
To Whom It May Concern:
I/We, ___________________________________________________________________
(Full Name(s) of Custodial and/or Non-Custodial Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s))
am/are the lawful custodial parent and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of:
Child’s full name__________________________________________________________
Date of Birth:____________________________________________________________
Place of Birth:____________________________________________________________
U.S. Passport Number:_____________________________________________________
Date and Place of Issuance of U.S. Passport:____________________________________
____________________________________, has my/our consent to travel with:
(Child’s Full Name)
Full name of accompanying person:___________________________________________
U.S. or foreign passport number:_____________________________________________
Date and Place of issuance of this passport:_____________________________________
to visit___________________ during the period of ______________________________.
(Name of Foreign Country)
(Dates of Travel: Departure and Return)
During that period, _______________________________________will be residing with
(Child’s Name)
___________________________________________________ at the following address:
(Name of Person Who Child will be Residing With in Foreign Country)
Number/street address and apartment number:___________________________________
City, State/Province, Country:_______________________________________________
Telephone and fax numbers (work, cell phone and residence)_______________________
Signature:____________________________________________ Date:______________
(Signature of Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)
Full Name: ______________________________________________________________
Signature:_______________________________________ Date:___________________
(Signature of Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)
20Full Name:
________________________________________________________________________
Signed before me,
_______________________________________________________________________,
(Full Name of Witness)
this_____________________ at _____________________________________________.
(Date)
(Name of Location)
Signature:_______________________________________________________________
Solicitors And Law Firms Specializing In International Child Custody And Family Law
This list of solicitors and law firms is provided as a convenience to U. S. citizens. These solicitors have indicated that they are familiar with international child custody cases and are willing to undertake such work. Inclusion on the list is based primarily on the firm having provided the Embassy with detailed information. The U.S. Embassy in London assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or facilities listed. Fees and the legal services to be provided are a matter for agreement solely between the individual and the solicitor. In English and Welsh practice, the legal profession is divided into two quite separate categories: Barristers and Solicitors. The primary function of the former is to argue cases before the higher courts. All other legal work is handled by solicitors, and only a solicitor can retain a barrister. As barristers do not deal directly with the general public, only solicitors are named in the attached list.
The Solicitors Act (1974) permits all solicitors to act as commissioners for oaths. Lists of solicitors practicing in Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from the U.S. Consulates General at Edinburgh and Belfast respectively.
Bindmans LLP
275 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8QB
Tel: 020-7833-4433
Fax: 020-7837-9792
E-mail: info@bindmans.com
Website: http://www.bindmans.com
Contacts: Katherine Gieve, Louise Coubrough, Rosalind Fitzgerald
Clement Daniels and Woodroffes
7 Beeston Place, Belgravia, London SWI W0JJ
Tel: 020-7730-0001
Fax: 020-7730-7900
E-mail: enquiries@woodroffes.org.uk
Website: http://www.woodroffes.org.uk
Contact: Peter Woodroffe, Roger Brown, Philip Gordon-Smith
Dawson Cornwell
15 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4QT
Tel: 020-7242-2556
Fax: 020-7831-0748
E-mail: mail@dawsoncornwell.com
Website: http://www.dawsoncornwell.com
Contact: Anne-Marie Hutchinson, John Cornwell, Rhiannon Lewis, Helen Kings, Kate
Allen, Russell Bywater
Family Law Partnership LLP
Dorset House, 297 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7PL
Tel: 013-7282-4327
Fax: 013-7282-4328
E-mail: info@familylawyers.co.uk
Website: http://www.familylawyers.co.uk
Contact: Sharon L. Cloud
Hodge Jones & Allen
180 North Gower Street, London NW1 2NB
Tel: 020-7874-8345
Fax: 020-7874-8304
E-mail: hja@hja.net
Website: http://www.hja.net
Contact: Emma Hall
Hornby & Levy
2-6 Atlantic Road, London SW9 8HY
Tel: 020-7737-0909
Fax: 020-7274-0886
E-mail: lverity@hornbyandlevy.com
Contact: Santosh Kumar, Lucy Verity
International Family Law Group
Hudson House, 8 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7PP
Tel: 020-3178-5668
Fax: 020-3178-5669
E-mail: enquiries@iflg.uk.com
Website: http://www.iflg.uk.com
Contact: Ann Thomas, Dacid Hodson, Carolynn Usher, Lucy Greenwood, Helen Blackburn, Punam Denley
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction came into force between the United States and the United Kingdom on July 1, 1988. For in-depth
information on the workings of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, visit the Department of State’s International Parental Child Abduction Page.
What To Do If Your Child Has Been Abducted:
From the United States to the United Kingdom: If your child has been abducted from the United States to the United Kingdom, you should file an application with the U.S.
Central Authority: Application For Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction (in PDF format). For guidance and instructions on completing the application
form, refer to the U.S. Central Authority’s Hague Application Instructions.
From the United Kingdom to the United States: If your child has been abducted from the United Kingdom to the United States, you should file an application with the UK
Central Authority application at: http://www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/icacu.htm
Child Custody Solicitors: The Embassy maintains a list of solicitors who specialize in international child custody issues; for more information, please click on this link: Child Custody Solicitors.
Preventing Child Abduction
If you are a resident of the United Kingdom and fear that your U.S. citizen child might be taken abroad by the other parent without your consent, the child’s name can be entered into the U.S. Child Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP). Then, if an application for a passport for your child is received, you will be informed before issuance of the passport.
When there is an order from a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the removal of a child from the jurisdiction of the court and/or the requesting party without prior consent, and the order is provided to the American Citizen Services Section of the U.S. Embassy in London, an application for a U.S. passport may be denied.
Requests for entry of a child’s name in the CPIAP, and, if relevant, court orders should be sent to:
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1A 2LQ
Phone: 020-7499-9000
Fax: 020-7495-5012
Other Resources
The Department of State’s International Parental Child Abduction website.
Reunite International at: http://www.reunite.org.
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Child Abduction Section at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/things-go-wrong/child-abduction
National Center For Missing and Exploited Children at: http://www.missingkids.com
Intercountry Adoptions
U.S. Adoption Procedures: The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption came into force for the United States on April 1, 2008. For in-depth information on intercountry
adoptions, both those started before and after implementation of the Hague Convention in the United States, visit the Department of State’s Hague Convention Intercountry
Adoption Page.
UK Adoption Procedures: The Department for Education and Skills (DFES) is responsible for adoption policy, domestic and intercountry, in the United Kingdom. For
in-depth information on British adoption regulations, visit the DFES Intercountry Adoption Page.
Child Abuse Registry Checks/Criminal Background Checks: The UK Government maintains decentralized child abuse registries for 86 of its counties. However, the child
abuse registries are only searchable by the name of an affected child, not/not by the name of an offender. Information regarding an offender would be found on a UK police certificate, which each prospective adoptive parent would be required to apply for from the UK authorities if they had resided in the United Kingdom for longer than a year.
The information on the child abuse registries (formerly called the Child Protection Register, now called the Integrated Children’s System) can only be accessed by UK-
licensed social workers. Generally, social workers from other countries are not able to access the registry due to UK Data Protection Act restrictions.
A website is available which shows how to access information, who is authorized to access the information, and the legislation governing the access to the database. The
website address is: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/contactpoint http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/contactpoint.
For information on obtaining criminal background checks, see our website at london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/criminal_records_checks_in_the_united_states.html.
Child Support Enforcement
The United States and the United Kingdom concluded a bilateral agreement on child support enforcement on December 17, 2007. The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/) is the U.S. Central Authority for this agreement.
The following information briefly explains the steps parents should take to request enforcement of child support orders when the absent parent is in the other country. More information is available on the Department of State’s website at travel.state.gov/family/services/support/support_2615.html
Applications made in the United States for support from a parent in the United
Kingdom:
Applications should be made to your local Child Support Enforcement Office (IV-D Agency) at your local Department of Human Services. It is the responsibility of the
Child Support Enforcement office to forward the application to the UK Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Section (REMO) located within the Department for
Constitutional Affairs at the following address: Department For Constitutional Affairs, REMO Section, Selborne House (4 th Floor), 56-60 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW; tel: 0845-345-5303; website: http://www.dca.gov.uk/family/remo/contents.htm; E-mail: remo@dca.gsi.gov.uk. The REMO Section will forward the application to the nearest English or Welsh County Court where the absent parent resides and will endeavor to enforce it.
Applications made in England and Wales for support from a parent in the United
States:
Applications should be made to the Justices' Clerk of your local Magistrate’s Court. The Justices' Clerk is required to forward the application to the REMO Section at the Department for Constitutional Affairs as explained above. It is the responsibility of the REMO Section to forward the application to the Child Support Enforcement Office (IV-D Agency) in the particular U.S. state where the absent parent resides. That authority will endeavor to enforce the order.
Child Protection And Neglect Issues
If you wish to discuss a child protection matter, please send an E-mail to:
SCSLondon@state.gov.
Travel of a Minor Child
Because of increasing instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking or pornography, an immigration
officer, airline, or travel company may ask you to provide some form of letter of consent if your child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.
Letter Of Consent For Travel Of A Minor Child
Because of increasing instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking or pornography, an immigration
officer, airline, or travel company may ask you to provide some form of letter of consent if your child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. The sample letter below is a guide only. You may also wish to have the letter of consent notarized.
To Whom It May Concern:
I/We, ___________________________________________________________________
(Full Name(s) of Custodial and/or Non-Custodial Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s))
am/are the lawful custodial parent and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of:
Child’s full name__________________________________________________________
Date of Birth:____________________________________________________________
Place of Birth:____________________________________________________________
U.S. Passport Number:_____________________________________________________
Date and Place of Issuance of U.S. Passport:____________________________________
____________________________________, has my/our consent to travel with:
(Child’s Full Name)
Full name of accompanying person:___________________________________________
U.S. or foreign passport number:_____________________________________________
Date and Place of issuance of this passport:_____________________________________
to visit___________________ during the period of ______________________________.
(Name of Foreign Country)
(Dates of Travel: Departure and Return)
During that period, _______________________________________will be residing with
(Child’s Name)
___________________________________________________ at the following address:
(Name of Person Who Child will be Residing With in Foreign Country)
Number/street address and apartment number:___________________________________
City, State/Province, Country:_______________________________________________
Telephone and fax numbers (work, cell phone and residence)_______________________
Signature:____________________________________________ Date:______________
(Signature of Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)
Full Name: ______________________________________________________________
Signature:_______________________________________ Date:___________________
(Signature of Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)
20Full Name:
________________________________________________________________________
Signed before me,
_______________________________________________________________________,
(Full Name of Witness)
this_____________________ at _____________________________________________.
(Date)
(Name of Location)
Signature:_______________________________________________________________
Solicitors And Law Firms Specializing In International Child Custody And Family Law
This list of solicitors and law firms is provided as a convenience to U. S. citizens. These solicitors have indicated that they are familiar with international child custody cases and are willing to undertake such work. Inclusion on the list is based primarily on the firm having provided the Embassy with detailed information. The U.S. Embassy in London assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or facilities listed. Fees and the legal services to be provided are a matter for agreement solely between the individual and the solicitor. In English and Welsh practice, the legal profession is divided into two quite separate categories: Barristers and Solicitors. The primary function of the former is to argue cases before the higher courts. All other legal work is handled by solicitors, and only a solicitor can retain a barrister. As barristers do not deal directly with the general public, only solicitors are named in the attached list.
The Solicitors Act (1974) permits all solicitors to act as commissioners for oaths. Lists of solicitors practicing in Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from the U.S. Consulates General at Edinburgh and Belfast respectively.
Bindmans LLP
275 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8QB
Tel: 020-7833-4433
Fax: 020-7837-9792
E-mail: info@bindmans.com
Website: http://www.bindmans.com
Contacts: Katherine Gieve, Louise Coubrough, Rosalind Fitzgerald
Clement Daniels and Woodroffes
7 Beeston Place, Belgravia, London SWI W0JJ
Tel: 020-7730-0001
Fax: 020-7730-7900
E-mail: enquiries@woodroffes.org.uk
Website: http://www.woodroffes.org.uk
Contact: Peter Woodroffe, Roger Brown, Philip Gordon-Smith
Dawson Cornwell
15 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4QT
Tel: 020-7242-2556
Fax: 020-7831-0748
E-mail: mail@dawsoncornwell.com
Website: http://www.dawsoncornwell.com
Contact: Anne-Marie Hutchinson, John Cornwell, Rhiannon Lewis, Helen Kings, Kate
Allen, Russell Bywater
Family Law Partnership LLP
Dorset House, 297 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7PL
Tel: 013-7282-4327
Fax: 013-7282-4328
E-mail: info@familylawyers.co.uk
Website: http://www.familylawyers.co.uk
Contact: Sharon L. Cloud
Hodge Jones & Allen
180 North Gower Street, London NW1 2NB
Tel: 020-7874-8345
Fax: 020-7874-8304
E-mail: hja@hja.net
Website: http://www.hja.net
Contact: Emma Hall
Hornby & Levy
2-6 Atlantic Road, London SW9 8HY
Tel: 020-7737-0909
Fax: 020-7274-0886
E-mail: lverity@hornbyandlevy.com
Contact: Santosh Kumar, Lucy Verity
International Family Law Group
Hudson House, 8 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7PP
Tel: 020-3178-5668
Fax: 020-3178-5669
E-mail: enquiries@iflg.uk.com
Website: http://www.iflg.uk.com
Contact: Ann Thomas, Dacid Hodson, Carolynn Usher, Lucy Greenwood, Helen Blackburn, Punam Denley
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